Sūrah Al-Māʾidah

āyāt 2

Believers are commanded not to violate the sacred rituals established by Allāh, nor the sanctity of the sacred months, nor to disregard the sacrificial animals marked for offering, nor those journeying to the Sacred House seeking their Lord's bounty and pleasure. Once they have completed their pilgrimage rituals, they are permitted to hunt. They must not let the hatred they feel towards those who previously obstructed them from the Sacred Mosque incite them to transgress, but rather they should cooperate with one another in righteousness and piety, and never in sin and aggression. They are reminded to be mindful of Allāh, for indeed Allāh is severe in punishment.

āyāt 4–5

These āyāt explain what is made lawful for believers. When people ask the Prophet ﷺ about what is lawful, he is to tell them that all good foods are permitted, including what trained hunting animals catch, provided Allāh's Name is mentioned. Furthermore, on this day, good foods are permitted, and the food of the People of the Scripture is lawful for you, and your food is lawful for them. Also permitted for marriage are chaste women from among the believers and chaste women from among the People of the Scripture, provided their due compensation is given, with the intention of chastity, not unlawful sexual relations or secret affairs. Anyone who denies faith will have their good deeds rendered worthless, and in the Hereafter, they will be among those who lose.

āyāt 6–7

Believers, when you prepare for prayer, you are instructed to wash your face, your forearms up to the elbows, wipe over your head, and wash your feet up to the ankles. If you are in a state of major ritual impurity, then you must perform a full purification. However, if you are ill, traveling, have just relieved yourself, or have been intimate with your spouse and cannot find water, then you should use clean earth to wipe over your face and hands instead, for God does not wish to burden you, but rather to purify you and perfect His blessings upon you so that you may be grateful. You should also remember God's favor to you and His covenant, which you affirmed by saying, "We hear and we obey," and fear God, for He is fully aware of what is in people's hearts.

āyāt 9–11

Allāh has promised forgiveness and a great reward to those who believe and do good deeds. However, those who reject faith and deny Allāh's signs will be the inhabitants of Hellfire. Allāh reminds believers to remember His favor upon them when He prevented an aggressive group from harming them, and therefore, believers should be mindful of Allāh and put their trust in Him.

āyāt 20–22

Mūsā عليه السلام reminded his people to remember Allah’s favor upon them, how He had sent prophets among them, made them kings, and given them blessings no one else in the world had received. He then told them to enter the holy land that Allah had designated for them, warning them not to turn back, lest they become losers. However, his people replied that a strong, oppressive people lived there, and they would not enter until those people left. They said they would only enter once the land was clear.

āyāt 23–25

Two men, whom Allāh had favored and who were conscious of Him, urged the people to enter the city through its gate, assuring them that they would be victorious once inside. They told them to trust in Allāh if they truly believed. However, the people responded to Mūsā عليه السلام by refusing to enter as long as the inhabitants were there, telling Mūsā عليه السلام and his Lord to go and fight, while they would stay put. Mūsā عليه السلام then prayed to Allāh, saying he only had control over himself and his brother, and asked Allāh to separate him and his brother from these disobedient people.

āyāt 26

Allāh then declared that the holy land would be forbidden to them for forty years, during which they would wander through the land. He ﷺ was told not to grieve over these defiantly disobedient people.

āyāt 28–30

The one being threatened declares that even if the other person raises a hand to kill them, they will not retaliate, out of fear of Allāh, Lord of the worlds. They further express a desire for the aggressor to bear the burden of both their own sin and the victim's sin, so that they become inhabitants of the Fire, which is the consequence for those who commit wrong. Despite this warning, the aggressor's soul allowed him to murder his brother, making him one of the losers.

āyāt 31

Then Allāh sent a crow that was scratching at the ground to show the first brother how to conceal his brother's body. He cried out in regret, wondering why he could not be like the crow and hide his brother's body, and he became truly remorseful.

āyāt 33–35

This section begins by stating the punishment for those who wage war against Allāh and His Messenger ﷺ, and cause corruption on Earth. Their penalty is to be killed, or crucified, or have their hands and feet cut off from opposite sides, or be exiled from the land. This is a disgrace for them in this world, and in the Hereafter, they will face a great punishment, unless they repent before they are apprehended. Indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful to those who repent. Following this, the believers are called upon to be mindful of Allāh, seek means of nearness to Him, and strive in His cause, so that they may attain success.

āyāt 36–38

The āyāt begin by explaining that those who reject faith, even if they were to possess everything on Earth and more to free themselves from the punishment on the Day of Resurrection, it would not be accepted from them, and a painful punishment awaits them. They will long to escape the Fire, but they will never be able to leave it, and their punishment will be everlasting. Then, the āyāt state that for a male or female thief, their hands should be cut off as a consequence for their deeds, as a deterrent punishment from Allah, who is Mighty and Wise.

āyāt 39–40

This stretch of āyāt begins by stating that anyone who repents after their wrongdoing and improves their conduct will find Allah forgiving them, for indeed, Allah is ever-Forgiving and Merciful. It then asks if you are aware that the entire dominion of the heavens and the earth belongs to Allah alone. He has the power to punish whomever He wishes and to forgive whomever He wishes, and Allah is capable of all things.

āyāt 41–43

The Prophet ﷺ is told not to grieve over those who rush into disbelief, including those who claim belief outwardly but whose hearts don't believe, and some among the Jews. These people eagerly listen to falsehoods and distort God's words from their proper meanings, telling others to accept only what suits them, and warning them if it doesn't. For those whom Allah intends to test, the Prophet ﷺ can do nothing to help them against Allah's will, and Allah does not intend to purify their hearts, so they will face disgrace in this world and a great punishment in the Hereafter. They are also eager listeners to falsehood and consume unlawful gain. If they come to the Prophet ﷺ for judgment, he can choose to judge between them justly, as Allah loves those who act justly, or he can turn away from them, in which case they cannot harm him at all. It is astonishing that they come to him for judgment when they already have the Torah, which contains Allah's judgment, yet they turn away from it, showing they are not truly believers.

āyāt 44–46

Allāh states that He sent down the Torah with guidance and light, and the Prophets عليه السلام who submitted to Him, along with the rabbis and scholars, judged by it for the Jewish people. They were entrusted with Allāh's Scripture and were witnesses to it, so people should fear Allāh, not others, and not exchange His verses for worldly gain; indeed, whoever does not judge by what Allāh has revealed is a disbeliever. Allāh also ordained in the Torah specific retributions like a life for a life and an eye for an eye, but giving up one's right as charity serves as an expiation, and those who do not judge by what Allāh has revealed are wrongdoers. Subsequently, Allāh sent Jesus عليه السلام, the son of Mary, confirming the Torah and giving him the Gospel, which contained guidance and light, also confirming the Torah, as guidance and instruction for the righteous.

āyāt 47–49

The People of the Gospel are instructed to judge according to what Allah revealed in their scripture, and those who fail to do so are disobedient. To the Prophet ﷺ, Allah revealed the Qur’ān in truth, confirming previous scriptures and acting as a judge over them. The Prophet ﷺ is commanded to judge among people by what Allah has revealed and not to follow their desires away from the truth. Each community was given a distinct law and method, and Allah tested them with what He gave them, encouraging them to compete in good deeds, as all will return to Him to clarify their differences. The Prophet ﷺ is further instructed to judge by what Allah revealed, to avoid their desires, and to be cautious that they do not divert him from any part of Allah's revelation. If they turn away, it is because Allah intends to punish them for some of their sins, and indeed, many people are disobedient.

āyāt 50

This āyah asks if people desire the judgments of the pre-Islamic era of ignorance. It then states that no one judges better than Allah for people who are firm in their faith.

āyāt 51–53

This passage instructs those who believe not to take the Jews and the Christians as close friends or protectors, as they are allies to each other. It clarifies that anyone among the believers who does take them as such then becomes one of them, for God does not guide those who do wrong. You will observe those with sickness in their hearts quickly associating with them, explaining that they fear some misfortune might befall them. However, it may be that God will bring about a victory or a command from Him, which will make them regret what they have been hiding in their souls. And those who truly believe will then ask if these are the same people who swore their solemn oaths by God that they were with the believers. Their actions will have become fruitless, and they will have become losers.

āyāt 54–56

This passage tells believers that if any of them abandon their faith, God will replace them with a people whom He loves and who love Him. These people will be humble toward other believers but firm against those who reject the truth; they will strive in God's way without fearing criticism. This is God's grace, given to whomever He chooses, for God is all-Encompassing and all-Knowing. The true protectors for believers are God, His Messenger ﷺ, and those believers who establish prayer, give zakāh, and bow down in worship. Whoever takes God, His Messenger ﷺ, and the believers as protectors will surely belong to the party of God, who are the victorious ones.

āyāt 57–58

This passage instructs those who believe not to take as allies or protectors people who mock and ridicule their religion, whether they are from among those who received earlier scriptures or are outright disbelievers. It reminds the believers to fear God, if they are truly sincere in their faith. The passage then explains that these same people mock and make fun when the call to prayer is made, attributing their behavior to their inability to reason or understand.

āyāt 59–61

The Prophet ﷺ is instructed to ask the People of the Scripture if their resentment towards the Muslims stems only from their belief in God, in what was revealed to them, and in what was revealed before, and because most of the People of the Scripture are disobedient. He is then to ask them if he should inform them of a worse consequence from God than what they accuse the believers of. This refers to those whom God has cursed, with whom He became angry, and whom He transformed into apes and pigs, and who worshipped false deities; these are in a worse state and further from the right path. Furthermore, when some of them come to the Prophet ﷺ, they claim to believe, but they enter with disbelief in their hearts and depart with it, and God knows best what they conceal.

āyāt 62–64

Many of them rush into sin, aggression, and consuming what is unlawful, and their actions are truly evil. Why do their religious leaders not prevent them from speaking sinful words and consuming forbidden things? How terrible is what these leaders are doing. The Jews claim that God's hand is restricted, but it is their own hands that are restricted, and they are cursed for such a statement. Rather, God's hands are fully open, and He spends as He wills. What has been revealed to you from your Lord will only make many of them increase in transgression and disbelief. God has placed enmity and hatred among them until the Day of Resurrection. Every time they ignite the flames of war, God extinguishes them, and they persist in spreading corruption on earth, but God does not love those who cause corruption.

āyāt 65–67

It is stated that if the People of the Scripture had believed and been mindful of God, their misdeeds would have been removed from them, and they would have been admitted to Gardens of Pleasure. Furthermore, if they had upheld the Torah, the Gospel, and what was revealed to them from their Lord, they would have enjoyed provisions from above and below them. Although there is a moderate community among them, many of them do evil things. The Prophet ﷺ is commanded to convey what has been revealed to him from his Lord, for if he does not, he will not have conveyed His message, and God will protect him from the people, as God does not guide the disbelieving people.

āyāt 68–70

This stretch of āyāt begins by instructing the Prophet ﷺ to tell the People of the Scripture that their faith is baseless until they uphold the Torah, the Gospel, and the revelation sent to the Prophet ﷺ from his Lord. It also states that this revelation will only increase many of them in wrongdoing and disbelief, so the Prophet ﷺ should not feel sorrow for these disbelievers. It then clarifies that those who truly believe in God, the Last Day, and do good deeds—whether they are followers of the Prophet ﷺ, Jews, Sabeans, or Christians—will have no fear or grief. Finally, it reminds that God took a covenant from the Children of Israel and sent them messengers, but whenever a messenger brought something they disliked, they denied some and even killed others.

āyāt 71

Some people previously believed that they would face no consequences for their actions, which caused them to become heedless and unresponsive to guidance. Despite this, Allāh turned to them with mercy and forgiveness. However, many of them once again became heedless and unresponsive. Allāh is fully aware of everything they do.

āyāt 72–74

These verses state that those who claim Allāh is the Messiah, the son of Maryam, have certainly disbelieved, even though the Messiah himself told the Children of Israel to worship Allāh, his Lord and their Lord. It is emphasized that anyone who associates partners with Allāh will be forbidden from Paradise, and their home will be the Fire, with no helpers for such wrongdoers. Similarly, those who claim Allāh is one of a trinity have also disbelieved, because there is no god except One God. If they do not stop saying such things, a painful punishment will surely befall the disbelievers among them. The verses then ask why they do not turn to Allāh in repentance and seek His forgiveness, reminding us that Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.

āyāt 75–77

The Messiah, the son of Mary, عليه السلام, was simply a messenger, like many messengers who came before him. His mother was also a truthful person, and both of them ate food like all humans do. The Creator shows how clearly these signs are presented, yet people are still misled. The Prophet ﷺ is then told to ask if people worship things besides Allah that can neither harm nor benefit them, when it is Allah alone Who hears and knows all. Then, the Prophet ﷺ is instructed to tell the People of the Scripture not to go to extremes in their religion and not to follow the desires of those who went astray before them, misled many others, and deviated from the right path.

āyāt 78–80

Among the Children of Israel, those who disbelieved were cursed by David عليه السلام and Jesus, the son of Mary عليه السلام. This was because they disobeyed God and continuously went beyond His limits. They did not stop one another from the wrong actions they committed, and what they did was indeed terrible. You see many of them befriending those who reject the truth, and how dreadful is what they have prepared for themselves, for God is angry with them, and they will live in punishment forever.

āyāt 81

If people had truly believed in Allāh, in the Prophet ﷺ, and in what was revealed to him, they would not have taken those others as close allies. However, many of them are disobedient and rebellious.

āyāt 12–14

Allāh had previously made a solemn agreement with the Children of Israel, appointing twelve leaders from among them. Allāh assured them, saying He would be with them if they established prayer, gave charity, believed in His messengers, supported them, and gave Allāh a good loan. In return, He promised to remove their wrongdoings and admit them to Gardens flowing with rivers, warning that whoever disbelieved after that would certainly go astray. However, because they broke this agreement, Allāh cursed them and hardened their hearts; they twisted the meaning of words and forgot a part of what they were reminded of. You, too, will continue to see their treachery, save for a few, but you should pardon them and overlook their misdeeds, for Allāh loves those who do good. Similarly, Allāh also made a covenant with those who call themselves Christians, but they too forgot a part of what they were reminded of, leading Allāh to sow animosity and hatred among them until the Day of Resurrection. Allāh will eventually inform them of what they used to do.

āyāt 15–17

The Qur'an addresses the People of the Scripture, telling them that Allāh's Messenger, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, has come to them. He clarifies much of what they used to hide from their own scriptures and overlooks many things. From Allāh has come a light and a clear Book, the Qur'an itself. Through this Book, Allāh guides those who seek His pleasure to paths of peace, bringing them out of darkness into light by His permission, and guiding them to a straight path. The āyāt then state that those who say Allāh is Christ, the son of Mary, have certainly disbelieved. It asks who could prevent Allāh if He willed to destroy Christ عليه السلام, his mother, or everyone on earth, for to Allāh belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and everything in between. He creates what He wills, and Allāh is capable of all things.

āyāt 18–19

The text challenges the claim by the Jews and Christians that they are Allāh's children and beloved ones. It asks them why, if that were true, Allāh would punish them for their sins, clarifying that they are simply human beings among His creation. It then affirms that Allāh forgives and punishes whomever He wills, and that to Him belongs everything in the heavens and the earth, and to Him is the ultimate return. Following this, the People of the Scripture are reminded that Allāh's Messenger has come to them to clarify the religion after a long pause in the sending of messengers. This is so they cannot claim that no one came to them with good news or a warning, because a messenger has indeed arrived with both, and Allāh is capable of all things.

āyāt 83–85

When people hear what has been revealed to the Messenger ﷺ, you see their eyes well up with tears because they recognize the truth. They declare their belief and ask God to count them among those who bear witness to the truth. They ask why they shouldn't believe in God and the truth that has come to them, expressing their hope that God will admit them into Paradise with the righteous. In return for these words, God rewards them with Gardens beneath which rivers flow, where they will live forever. This is the reward for those who do good.

āyāt 86

Those who disbelieve and reject God's signs are destined to be companions of the Hellfire.

āyāt 87–89

This stretch of āyāt begins by instructing believers not to forbid the good things that God has made lawful for them, and not to exceed limits, for God does not love those who do so. It encourages eating from what God has provided, as long as it is lawful and good, and to be mindful of God in whom you believe. Then, these āyāt clarify that God will not hold you accountable for unintentional or meaningless oaths, but He will hold you accountable for breaking oaths made with intention. The expiation for such an oath is to feed ten poor people, or clothe them, or free a slave; if one cannot do any of these, then fasting for three days is required. Finally, it reminds believers to guard their oaths and states that God thus clarifies His āyāt so that they may be grateful.

āyāt 90–92

Believers are told that intoxicants, gambling, sacrifices on stone alters to others besides God, and divining arrows are all impure acts inspired by Satan, and they should be avoided to achieve success. Satan's only desire through intoxicants and gambling is to sow hostility and hatred among people, and to turn them away from remembering God and from prayer; therefore, people should stop these practices. Everyone must obey God and obey the Messenger ﷺ and be cautious; if anyone turns away, they should know that the Messenger ﷺ is only responsible for delivering a clear message.

āyāt 93–95

This section begins by reassuring believers who do good deeds that they will not be held accountable for past actions, provided they now remain mindful of God, believe, and continue to do good. Then, it states that God will test believers with game that is easily accessible, to reveal those who fear Him even when unseen; whoever disobeys after this warning will face a painful punishment. Believers are commanded not to hunt game while in the state of iḥrām, and if someone intentionally kills game, they must offer a sacrifice equivalent to what was killed, or feed the needy, or fast, to experience the consequence of their action. God has forgiven past transgressions, but whoever repeats the violation will face retribution, for God is Mighty and capable of exacting retribution.

āyāt 96

It is permissible for you to catch and eat game from the sea, and its food is allowed for you and for travelers. However, hunting land animals is forbidden while you are in the state of iḥrām. Be mindful of Allah, to whom all of you will eventually be brought together.

āyāt 97–99

Allāh has made the Kaʿbah, the Sacred House, a firm foundation for humanity, and He has also sanctified the sacred months, the sacrificial animals, and the garlands that mark them. This is so you may know that Allāh is aware of everything in the heavens and on earth, and that He truly knows all things. Understand that Allāh is indeed severe in punishment, but also that He is Forgiving and Merciful. The Messenger's ﷺ duty is only to deliver the message, and Allāh knows everything you reveal and everything you keep hidden.

āyāt 100

This āyah teaches that evil and good are fundamentally different and not to be equated, even if one is more prevalent or seemingly attractive. It then urges those with understanding to be mindful of God so that they may achieve true success.

āyāt 101–102

This passage instructs believers not to inquire about certain matters which, if clarified, might cause them distress. However, if such questions are asked while the Qur'ān is being revealed, they will be answered. Allāh has forgiven past transgressions in this regard, for Allāh is Forgiving and Forbearing. The text then mentions that previous peoples also asked such questions, and as a result, they became disbelievers.

āyāt 103–105

Allāh did not establish certain pagan customs regarding livestock, like those called baḥīrah, sā’ibah, waṣīlah, or ḥām. Instead, those who reject faith invent lies about Allāh, and most of them do not use their intellect. When these disbelievers are told to follow what Allāh has revealed and to obey the Messenger, they respond that what they found their ancestors doing is enough for them, even if their ancestors knew nothing and were not guided. Believers, your responsibility is for yourselves; those who go astray will not harm you if you remain guided. You will all return to Allāh, and He will then inform you of everything you used to do.

āyāt 106–108

This stretch of āyāt describes the process for taking testimony when someone is close to death and making a will. When death approaches, two just men from your own people should witness the will, or if you are traveling and death strikes, two others from outside your community. These witnesses should be detained after a prayer, and if there is doubt about their honesty, they should swear by Allāh that they will not exchange their oath for any worldly gain, even if the deceased was a relative, and that they will not conceal the testimony of Allāh, otherwise they would be among the sinful. Then, if it is discovered that these two witnesses committed perjury, two other people who have a rightful claim should take their place and swear by Allāh that their testimony is truer than the first two, and that they have not transgressed, otherwise they would be among the wrongdoers. This method makes it more likely that testimony will be given accurately, or at least that people will fear that alternative oaths might be taken if they perjure themselves. Always fear Allāh and obey Him, for Allāh does not guide those who are defiantly disobedient.

āyāt 109–111

This passage describes the Day when God will gather all the messengers and ask them about the response they received from their people. The messengers will humbly reply that they have no knowledge, for only God is the Knower of all that is unseen. Then, God will specifically address Jesus, son of Mary, reminding him of the blessings bestowed upon him and his mother, such as being supported by the Pure Spirit and speaking to people from the cradle and in his adulthood. God will recall teaching him the scripture, wisdom, the Torah, and the Gospel, and empowering him to create the form of a bird from clay and breathe life into it, to heal the blind and the leper, and to raise the dead, all by God’s permission. He will also be reminded of how God protected him from the Children of Israel when he brought them clear signs, despite some of them calling his miracles plain magic. Finally, God will recount inspiring Jesus's disciples to believe in Him and His messenger, to which they responded with faith and submission.

āyāt 112–114

This passage recounts when the disciples of Jesus عليه السلام asked him if his Lord could send down a table spread with food from the heavens. Jesus عليه السلام told them to fear God if they were truly believers. They explained that they wanted to eat from it, so their hearts would be reassured, they would know Jesus عليه السلام spoke the truth to them, and they could be witnesses to it. Then, Jesus عليه السلام, son of Mary, prayed to God, asking Him to send down a table from heaven as a feast for everyone and a sign from Him, and to provide for them, acknowledging God is the best provider.

āyāt 115

Allāh states that He will indeed send down the requested provision. However, He warns that if anyone among them disbelieves after receiving it, then He will punish that person with a unique punishment, unlike any He has inflicted upon anyone in the entire creation.

āyāt 117–119

The Messiah ʿĪsā عليه السلام will say that he only instructed his people to worship Allāh, his Lord and their Lord, and that he bore witness over them only for the time he was among them. After Allāh took him up, Allāh Himself was the Watcher over them, and Allāh is a Witness over all things. He will then say that if Allāh punishes them, they are His servants, but if He forgives them, He is the Almighty, the All-Wise. Allāh will then declare that this is the Day when those who were truthful will benefit from their truthfulness, for them are Gardens with flowing rivers, where they will live forever. Allāh will be pleased with them, and they with Him, and this is the great achievement.